

t^ k^'^l 



THE 

PuRiM Basket 



BY 



EMILY GOLDSMITH GERSON 




NEW YORK 
BLOCH PUBLISHING COMPANY 

"The Jewish Book Concern" 
Copyright, 1914. Bloch Publishing Company 

^ J 



THE PURIM BASKET 

CHARACTERS 

FOR ACT I. 

Mrs. Herman. 
Mrs. Levy, her mother. 

Leah Herman_, her daughter (thirteen years old). 
Nora, her servant. ^ ^^.^ 

FOR ACT II. ^ ^ p o *" 

Mrs. Weiman. 

Esther, her twelve-year-old daughter. 

Sam, her ten-year-old son. 

Moses, her seven-year-old son. 

ACT L 

Scene: A pretty sitting-room. Table on which 
lamp is burning, in center. Chairs, etc., on the 
side. Curtain goes up on scene. Leah is seated 
in a cozy armchair near table, reading the "Book 
of Esther." She reads aloud: 
Leah — "For Mordecai, the Jew, was next unto 
King Ahasuerus and great among the Jews, seeking 
the weal of.hi§ people and speaking peace to all of 
his seed." ^ (JCtoses book and sits meditating.) Well, 
that is a wonderful story. To think of a poor 
young Jewish girl not only becoming queen, but 
such a queen ! How proud Mordecai must have 
been of her ! Let me see now, what did the Book 
of Esther say about King Ahasuerus' first wife — 
(She opens book and settles herself back to read, 
when Grandma Levy comes into the room.) | 

Mrs. Levy — What are your reading, dear? 
Leah — The story of Purim. Do you know, ' 



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Grandma, I think I like the story better than any. 
(Grandma seats herself at table opposite. Leah 
rises quickly and says) : 

Leah — Sit here, Grandma; this is such a comfy 
chair. (Grandma crosses and seats herself.) I'll 
take this stool and (seats herself at Grandma's feet) 
we can talk. Do you remember how on every 
Purim eve you used to tell me this story. Now T 
can read it for myself. It is my favorite Bible 
story. It is so like a grand fairy-tale. Imagine 
Esther, a poor Jewish girl, being loved by a real 
king ! 

Grandma — Yes, it is wonderful in many ways. 
Imagine a poor young girl having the wisdom to 
save a whole race from death, as Esther did. 

Leah — I wonder whether she was very much 
frightened the first time she went to invite her king 
to banquet with her? I should have been scared to 
death in her place. 

Grandma — You are a very little girl, dear, but 
Esther was by that time the greatest lady in the 
land, and she was sure of tv^o things — first, that 
King Ahasuerus loved her and wanted to be just ; 
and, secondly, that her uncle, Mordecai, was near at 
hand to advise her for her good, and the good of her 
people. 

Leah — ^I wouldn't have liked to have been in 
Haman's boots ! Brother Louis would say of him : 
"Gee, but he had a mean disposition ! Well, he got 
all that was coming to him, didn't he?" 

Grandma — That sentence, too, was quite worthy 
of Louis. By the way, w^here did Louis go this 
evening? I forget. 

Leah — He went to Joe Lehman's Purim party I 
wish some one had invited me — I like parties — 



Mother {entering with tray on which are Purint 
cakes, apples and nuts) — Come and help yourself 
then. (Places tray on table). Grandma, put your 
knitting away. (Takes cake and begins eating it. 
Leah does the same.) Grandma, these are the best 
Hamans you ever baked. 

Leah — I don't think even the cakes named after 
Haman should be good, when they represent such a 
man. I say, "Off with his head." (She bites his 
head off.) 

Mother — Even Louis couldn't be having a better 
party than this, now, could he ? 

Leah — The eating is good, all right, but he is- 
having packs of fun, and I'm not. Did you have 
fun on Purim, Mother? 

Mother (looking at Grandma) — Did we have 
fun ! The Jewish holidays were very dear to us, for 
they were our principal means of diversion. Now- 
adays, you children have so much to interest and 
amuse you, that Purim and the fun it brought with 
it for us would seem insignificant to you. 

Leah — Oh, no. Mother dear. But please tell me 
all about it, and let me judge for myself. I wish I 
had lived in your time! (Leah sighs.) I really 
think from the many things you have told me you 
had more really, truly fun than we. 

Mother — ^Well, to begin with, my sisters and I 
loved Purim for the masquerading. 

Grandma — I wish our families lived now in as 
small a radius as in those times. 

Mother — That's it. You couldn't dress up as 
we did, and go from one aunt's house to another, 
because we are scattered over the four points of the 
city. Then, all our families lived in one neighbor- 
hood, and we went from house to house in fancy 
costume. 



Leah — Tell me how you dressed, please? 

Grandma — ^Your mother looked the funniest of 
all my daughters. I remember you well (turning 
to her daughter, who gets up and puts her amis 
around the old lady's neck and smooths her hair), 
decked out in my house-dress, spectacles, bonnet and 
shawl. Your hair was twisted in a knot at the back 
of your head, and you made wrinkles on your face 
with burnt cork, to give you the appearance of betng 
real old. 

Leah — Oh, how funny ! What did you do then ? 

Mother {seating herself beside Leah) — Then we 
each filled a little basket with cakes, spools and 
needles and went on our way. 

Leah — Oh, it must have been grand ! 

Mother — Our aunts gave us cake and apples to 
eat, and bought our wares. 

Leah — Didn't they know you? 

Mother — If they did they pretended not to. 
Once, I remember, we rang the bell at Aunt Eva's 
house. We must have looked like frights, because 
the maid opened the door, and when she saw the 
three of us old women standing there, she cried. 
^'Howly murder" and slammed the door in our faces. 

Leah {jumping up and throzving her arms about 
her mother impulsively) — Mother, do me a favor? 

Mother — Can't say till I hear it. 

Leah (running to Grandma) — You'll back me 
up, won't you? 

Grandma (kissing Leah) — You wheedler ! What 
is it? Out with it, and, like King Ahasuerus said, 
'*If it be half my kingdom, I'll give it to you." 

Leah — It is — ^please let me — I'd love you so 
much for it — I want to masquerade this evening, and 



go over to Joe's house to surprise Louis and the rest 
of the party. If I sell my wares I'll share the 
money with you both. 

Mother [laughing, and looking at Grandma) — 
Shall I? {Grandma nods approval.) 

Grandma — I'll call Nora to assist me in getting 
your costume and basket ready, while you, Rachel, 
tell her what you did with the money you earned 
from selling the contents of the basket. (Grandma 
goes out calling, "Nora, come help me," etc.) 

Mother — Sit here, Leah. (Leah does so, and 
Mother twists her hair into a knot. She then 
blackens a cork over the lamp to line her face, talk- 
ing as she does so.) With the money we had given 
to us we bought groceries and meats for our wash- 
woman, and the next day we filled a large hamper 
(we called it a "Purim basket"), and carried it to 
the poor soul, and made her happy. 

Nora (entering with her arms full of things. She 
is followed by Grandma) — In shur'n ye'll be a purty 
sight wid these things on. The polaceman will be 
af tyr yer, so he will. 

Leah — Quit your nonsense, Nora, and help me 
on. (Nora makes herself busy; all of a sudden she 
sees Leah's face, which has been made to look funny 
by Mother. Leah has put Grandma's glasses on, 
also her bonnet.) 

Nora — Howly murder, Miss Leah, hev you 
sphoylt yer rpurty face? Ye'll frighten the divil his- 
self ef yer walk the straits like that. 

Leah (laughing, all the time being dressed by 
Mother and Grandma) — To-morrow we'll walk the 
streets with a full basket to Mrs. Weiman's house, 
and then you'll sing another tune. Come, Nora, 
get me one of your clean gingham aprons. 



{Nora takes one off, which she has under her 
white one. She ties it around Leah.) 

Mother — Nora, will you please escort this poor 
old lady around to Lehman's house, and wait for 
her there? (Nora and Leah are looking at each 
other and laughing.) If you laugh you'll spoil it 
all and then you'll have no money with which to buy 
your Purim basket. 

Leah — May I put a dollar of my birthday money 
to what I get for these {holding up basket) for Mrs. 
Washwoman ? 

Mother — Yes, dear — ^now, go. Come, Nora ! 
(Mother and Grandma stand to one side, laughing, 
as Leah, who looks very quaint and funny, takes 
Nora's arm and the two march out to slozv music) 

Curtain. 



ACT IL 



Scene: A shabby room in a poor home. (Mrs. 

Weiman standing to the right over a tub, washing. 

To the left of the stage, seated on a stool, is a girl 

of tzvelve — Esther. At her feet, on the floor, are 

tzvo boys — Sam, ten years old, and Moses, seven 

years old.) 

Esther — And that is the reason she was called 
good Queen Esther. 

Sam — And you are named after her, is it not? 

Moses — Were you called Esther 'cause you're so 
awful nice and good and — 

Esther (holding up an admonishing finger) — 
Here, here — no taffy, or you'll turn my head. The 
girls in school say I'm stuck up already. Dear 
knows what I'll be if two such lovely gentlemen as 
you pay me compliments. 



Sam — Now, yer kidding us. Say, Esther, tell us, 
was yer called Essie after the queen ? 

Esther — I was born on Purim. That's why ! 
Say, boys, let's pretend I'm the queen. 

Moses — Queens wear long dresses and things on 
their hair. I saw a picture once, and I knows. 

Esther — A train! That's easy! {She gets up, 
followed by the boys, runs to the table, pulls off 
cover, and ties it around her waist. In the mean- 
time Sam is twisting a crown for her out of some 
paper flowers which he has taken from a vase.) 

Sam — ^Here, Essie, is a crown. Let me put it on 
your head. 

Esther — I never yet heard a queen nicknamed. 
{Turning suddenly on the boys.) In the future 
please address me as Queen Esther, and beware 
should you forget ! 

Sam — ^May I be the king? I love you really as 
much as did Esther's king love her. 

Moses — I want to play, too. I'll be the fellow 
what sat on the horse. {Moses turns a chair upside 
dozvn and sits astride.) 

Sam — Who'll be the mean guy what wanted to 
kill them all. Say, mommer {running over to the 
tub and addressing his mother, zvho has been rubbing 
the clothes) , will you pretend you're Ha — 

Esther (zvalking across the room with dignity) 
— Mr. Haman was his name. Will you play, 
mamma ? 

Mrs. Weiman — Bless your little hearts. Don't 
you see I'm head over ears in work? Mrs. Her- 
man wants this wash back as soon as I can get it 
ready. I never did have no time for play. Ever 
since yer father died I've been working — working 
— working- ! 



8 



Moses (beginning to cry) — Yer spoiled all our 
fun. 

Sam — Mordecai, you're a cry-baby. Men doesn't 
cry unless they're hurt. Ain't it so, Essie — I mean 
my queen? 

Esther — All you got to do, Mamma, is to answer 
when we talk to you, and that won't take your mind 
from your work. (Esther goes up and pats Mother 
on cheek). When I've finished this game I'll help 
you, Mumsy dear. You look tired. 

Mother (stops rubbing to look after Esther) — 
She's as fine a girl as ever lived, and I'm mighty 
proud of her. 

Esther — Now, boys, attention. Remember, I'm 
Queen Esther, and when I speak to you, please 
answer me as you would a queen. 

Sam — But I'm a king. If it wasn't for me you 
never would be such a grand lady. 

Moses — And I'm yer uncle what brung yer up. 
Don't yer really think I'm the importantest one in 
the bunch ? 

Esther — If Mordecai really spoke like that he 
would not have been allowed even to sit at the gate 
of the palace. Make way, I'm coming. (Advances 
toward Sam.) Oh King, I come to invite you to 
attend my feast. Will you come? 

Sam — You bet — I — I mean — yes, your queenship, 
I'll be there with my appetite. 

Esther — Won't you bring Haman along, too ? 

Moses — Where do I come in ? I want some feast. 
I don't like this Mordecai business. 

Esther — Can't you wait? You'll get the left- 
overs. 

Sam — There ain't going to be no left-overs. I 
said I'd bring my appetite along. 

9 



Esther {nudging Sam) — Go over and ask 
Haman to come along. 

Moses- — Say, won't you let me be Haman. 
Mommer will make a grand Mordecai. 

Esther — Very well. Mumsy won't mind — will 
you? 

Mrs. WeimaN' — I guess what you'll eat at the 
feast won't upset your digestion. 

Esther — My king, what says Haman ? 

Sam — He says, sure he'll come. What's the 
hour? 

Esther (pretending to consult a watch) — Let us 
make it at once. By the way, my king, do you like 
turkey or duck? 

Moses — Say, me mouth's a-watering already. 

Sam — I like my dinner done brown. Use your 
own taste and I'll like it. 

Esther — My king is gracious. What says Mr. 
Haman ? 

Moses — If yer mean me, I likes anything what's 
good. Make it turkey. 

Esther — Now leave me, noble gentlemen, while 
I set the table. (Esther goes toward the center of 
room to the table, zvhen a knock is heard on the 
door.) 

Mrs. Weiman — ^Goodness gracious ! who can that 
be, at this hour? (Dries her hands on her apron. 
Esther goes to open the door. Boys run to the 
front corner of the stage. Leah enters with Nora. 
They are in street attire, and each carry a filled 
basket.) 

Mrs. Weiman^— I haven't your wash near done, 
if it's that you're after. 

Leah — No, Mrs. Weiman. Mother is in no hurry 
for it. I came to wish you *'Gut Purim." 



10 



Mrs. Weiman — That was good of you. Sam, 
bring the young lady a chair. Won't you sit down ? 

Leah — May we put our baskets down? {Suit- 
ing action to the zvord.) Thank you. Now, Nora, 
set the table. (Nora busies herself, taking the 
things out of the basket and placing them on the 
table. The boys move near her and stare at her. 
Mrs. Weiman stands at the other side, looking on in 
astonishment.^ 

Esther — Is this a Purim feast for us. You are 
good to us. 

Sam — It came just in time for our play. Now 
Moses will be glad that he changed his character 
from Mordecai to Haman. 

Mrs. Weiman — Oh, what a feast this will be, 
Esther — the right kind for your birthday. 

Leah — Is this your birthday ? 

Esther — Yes, I was born on Purim, and we al- 
ways celebrate it on the anniversary of that holidav. 

Mrs. Weiman — W^e've had few celebrations since 
her father died, but now — 

Moses — Oh, look at the turkey ! 

Sam — Queen Esther, you're in luck. Say, let's 
invite Mordecai. 

Leah — Where is Mordecai, and why do thev call 
you Queen Esther? 

Moses — We was just playing when you came in. 
Mommer was Mordecai, I was Haman, and Sam was 
the king. Won't you stay and play with us ? 

Nora — In shur'n yer mither said as how yer was 
to cum straight home. Miss. 

Leah — Yes, I must go. I trust you will spend a 
pleasant holiday. {Bowing low to Esther.) Your 
Majesty, I bid you farewell. Good-bye, Mrs. Wei- 
man. (Shakes hands all around, and goes out. fol- 

11 



lozved by Nora. Leah, Sam, Moses and Mrs. Wei- 
man stand around the table.) 

^ Mrs. Weiman (in center) — God has always been 
kind to us on Purim. It was on Purim that you, 
my Esther, came to brighten our home, and now He 
has again heard my prayer. 

Esther — This shall be my Purim birthday party. 
Come, sit down and let's begin. See, Moses is all 
impatience ! 

Sam — Me, too. Let's fall to. 

Mrs. Weiman — First we'll thank God for all His 
kindness to us. 

Esther — And give three cheers for Leah, who 
brought it around. 

Moses — Hurrah for the Hermans ! 

Sam — Hurrah for Purim ! 

Esther — Hurrah for my birthday ! 

Mrs, Weiman — Hurrah for the Purim feast! 

Curtain. 



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